Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698942039698.pdf (Zambia)
MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS MINISTERIAL STATEMENT ON: THE SECURITY SITUATION BEITORE, DURTNG AND AFTI'R THE AUGUST 11, 207.6 PRESIDtrNTIAI, AND GENERAL EI,,ECTIONS 13Y HON.

DAVIES IV[WII-,A, MP., MINISTER Otr HOMIT AtrFAIRS 6TH MAY.

2016 L lP age MR SPEAKER, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT A MINISTERIAL STATEMENT TO THE HOUSE, ON THE SECURITY SITUATION IN THE COUNTRY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE AUGUST I I , 2016 PRESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.
st R, ZAMBIA HAS A DEMOCRATIC POLITICAL SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES FOR FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS EVERY FIVE YEARS.

ACCORDINGLY ZAMBIAN CITIZENS ENJOY THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND TO BE VOTED FOR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND.

ITS IS HOWEVER, IMPORTANT TO UNDERLINE THAT, FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS CAN ONLY BE CONDUCTED IN A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT.
A PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT IS ESSENTIAL FOR DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS, BECAUSE THE POLITICAL PLAYERS HAVE TO TRAVEL AROUND AND SELL THEIR MANIFESTOS TO THE ZAMBIAN 2lPage CITIZENS.

PEACE IS, THEREFORE, A NECESSARY PRECONDITION FOR DEMOCRATIC FREE AND FAIR ELECTIONS.

SIR, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT OUR COUNTRY HAS SINCE 1991 SUCCESSFULLY HELD FOUR PRESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS, AND TWO PRESIDENTIAL BYE_ELECTIONS.
AS A RESULT, OUR COUNTRY HAS SO FAR BEEN MANAGED BY THREE DIFFERENT POLITICAL PARTIES, WITH POWER BEING TRANSFERRED TO EACH ONE OF THEM PEACEFULLY.

THE PEACEFUL TRANSFER OF POWER BETWEEN POLITICAL PARTIES IS NOT A SMALL ACHIEVEMENT.

IT HAS ELUDED MANY COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD.

IT IS, THEREFORE, NOT SURPRISING THAT, OUR PROUD RECORD HAS EARNED OUR COUNTRY RESPECT AND RECOGNITION, AS A MATURE DEMOCRACY IN OUR SUB-REGION, AFRICA, AND INDEED THE WORLD.
3lPage SIR, ZAMBIA IS ALSO WIDELY ACKNOWLEDGED AS AN OASIS OF PEACE AND A SHINING BEACON OF HOPE FOR MANY PEOPLE IN AFRICA AND BEYOND.

THE RECOGNIIION OF OUR COUNTRY AS A PEACEFUL AND MATURE DEMOCRACY IS A COLLECTIVE ACHIEVEMENT OF ALL THE PEACE LOVING PEOPLE OF ZAMBIA.

ALL POLITICAL PLAYERS, THEREFORE, HAVE A DUTY TO BUILD ON THE PEACEFUL AND DEMOCRATIC CREDENTIALS OF OUR COUNTRY.
MR. SPEAKER, PEACE CANNOT AND SHOULD NEVER BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, BECAUSE IT IS BUILT, AND WORKED FOR EVERY DAY BY OUR PEOPLE, AS THEY OPT FOR DIALOGUE AND PEACEFUL RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES IN THEIR EVERY DAY INTERACTION.

POLITICAL LEADERS, HOWEVER, ALSO HAVE A ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY TO PROMOTE PEACE AND HELP MAINTAIN LAW AND ORDER.
AS WE DRIFT TOWARDS THE CAMPAIGN SEASON, WE MUST ALL SPREAD 4lPage MESSAGES OF PEACE, LOVE, AND HOPE FOR OUR BEAUTIFUL MOIHERLAND, ZAMBIA, AND INDEED FOR OUR FELLOW CITIZENS, AS WELL AS ALL IHE PEOPLE THAT LIVE AND WORK IN OUR COUNTRY.

SIR, LET ME NOW SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS IHE SECURITY SITUATION IN OUR COUNTRY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

I.
I.

SECURITY SITUATION BEFORE THE AUGUST 11, 2016 PRESIDENTIAL AND GENERAT ELECTIONS SIR, THE MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR INTERNAL SECURITY, IAM PLEASED TO REPORT THAT THE SECURITY SITUATION IN OUR COUNTRY IS STABLE AND NORMAL.

I AM CONFIDENT THAT, WE SHALL SUSTAIN THE PEACE OBTAINING IN OUR COUNIRY.

ALL THE CONTESTANTS IN THE FORTHCOMING ELECTIONS SHALL, THEREFORE, CARRY OUT THEIR CAMPAIGNS FREELY, IN A SECURF AND PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT.
5lPage MR. SPEAKER, SINCE PEACE CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED, MY MINISTRY WORKING WITH THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE COMMAND HAS MADE ADEQUATE PREPARATIONS TO ENSURE THAT, PEACE OBTAINS BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

OFFICERS IN THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE AND ALL SECURITY AGENCIES IN THAT REGARD HAVE UNDERGONE TRAINING IN POLICING ELECTIONS, MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS.
IN ADDITION, THE COMMAND LEVEL OFFICERS HAVE HAD TRAIN ING IN TH E IMPARTIAL MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT, AND THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT.

SIR, THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE FOUND IT ESSENTIAL TO PROVIDE TRAINING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT, AND THE ELECTORAL CODE OF SlPage CONDUCT, TO ENSURE A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD.
IN THAT REGARD, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT, THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT REGULATES THE CONDUCT OF PUBLIC PROCESSIONS AND MEETINGS, WHILE THE ELECTORAL CODE OF CONDUCT PROVIDES MECHANISMS FOR MANAGING CONFLICTS AND RESOLVING ELECTORAL DISPUTES.

CONFLICTS AND ELECTORAL DISPUTES ARE MANAGED AND RESOLVED THROUGH THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION COMMITTEES, WHICH EXIST AT THE NATIONAL AND DISTRICT LEVELS.
ALL OUR SECURITY OFFTCERS HAVE HAD TO BE TRAINED IN CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND RESOLUTION, BECAUSE THEY ARE KEY MEMBERS OF THE CONFLICT RESOLUTION COMMITTEES.

MR. SPEAKER, MY GOVERNMENT HAS ALSO PUT IN PLACE MEASURES TO ENSURE THAT, THERE IS NO VIOLENCE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE AUGUST I I , 201 6 PRESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.

7 | Page APART FROM THE TRAINING OF SECURITY OFFICERS, WE HAVE ALSO PROMOTED DIALOGUE WITH STAKEHOLDERS.
SENSITISATION OF MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING LAW AND ORDER, ON THE OTHER HAND, IS ON GOING, AND SHALL BE SUSTAINED UNTIL AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

SIR, IO ENSURE THAT THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE IS EFFECTIVE, AND ABLE TO RESPOND QUICKLY TO ANY POTENTIAL THREATS, MY GOVERNMENT HAS PROCURED MOTOR VEHICLES AND CYCLES, AS WELL AS OTHER ESSENTIAL SECURITY EQUIPMENT.

THESE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY.
THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE IS THEREFORE IN A POSITION TO EFFECTIVELY DEAL WITH ANY ENVENTUALITY IN A DECISIVE MANNER, AND ENSURE THAT, PEACE PREVAILS IN OUR COUNTRY AT ALL TIMES.

SlPage MR. SPEAKER, THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE HAS ALSO INTENSIFIED MOTORISED AND FOOT PATROLS AND INDEED TAKEN ALL OTHER SECURITY MEASURES, AND PRECAUTIONS THAT GO WITH MANAGING PUBLIC SECURITY DURING, AND AFTER NATIONAL ELECTIONS.

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SECURITY DURING ELECTIONS MR SPEAKER, THE SECURITY MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE TO SECURE OUR COUNTRY BEFORE THE ELECTIONS SHALL CONTINUE TO APPLY DURING THE ELECTION CAMPAIGN PERIOD, AND INDEED AFTER.

DURING THE ELECTION PERIOD, HOWEVER, INTENSIVE HIGHWAY PATROLS AND STRATEGIC SECURITY CHECK POINTS WOU LD ALSO BE INTRODUCED.

THESE EXTRA SECURITY MEASU RES WOULD BE DIRECTED AT CURBING CRIMINAL BEHAVIOURS.
OFFICERS MANNING OUR BORDERS 9lPage WOULD ALSO REMAIN ALERT TO ENSURE THAT, THE CROSS BORDER CRIMES DO NOT ESCALATE DURING AND AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

SIR, tET ME NOW ADDRESS THE SECURITY MEASURES PUT IN PLACE FOR THE PERIOD AFTER THE ELECTIONS.

3.

SECURITY MEASURES AFTER THE ELECTIONS MR SPEAKER, IT IS A WELL KNOWN FACT THAT, THE PERIOD AFTER THE CASTING OF BALLOTS IS CHARACTERISED BY ANXIETY AMONGST THE COMPETING POLITICAL PARTIES AND PLAYERS.
IN FACT, THE POLITICAL PLAYERS PREPARE TO EITH ER CELEBRATE, OR REACT TO THE OUTCOME OF IHE ELECTIONS.

MY GOVERNMENT HAS, THEREFORE, PREPARED ADEQUATLY FOR THIS PERIOD.

HOWEVER, THE ZAMBIA POLICE SERVICE SHALL IN ADDITION TO THE MEASURES ALREADY OUTLINED INTENSIFY THE FOCT AND MOTORISED PATROLS DURING THIS PERIOD l0 lPage TO ENSURE THAT, LAW AND ORDER IS MAINTAINED.

THESE MEASURES HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO SUSIAIN PEACE THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY.
I SHOULD ALSO INFORM THE NATION THROUGH YOU MR. SPEAKER, THAT, EVEN THOUGH MY GOVERNMENT HAD WANTED TO AMEND THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT, TO ENSURE IT IS NEVER AN EXCUSE FOR VIOLENCE DURING OUR ELECTIONS, IN PARTICULAR, THE QUALITY OF THE SUBMISSIONS RECEIVED FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS HAVE NOT BEEN ADEQUATE TO BRING ABOUT SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES.

IN THAT REGARD, IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT, THE ONLY SUBMISSION RECEIVED, CONSIDERED, AND AGREED ON, WAS THE REDUCTION OF THE NOTIFICATION PERIOD.
IT IS THEREFORE, EVIDENT THAT THE MATTER REQUIRES MORE ATTENTION.

MORE CONSULTATIONS ALSO SEEM ESSENTIAL TO BRING ABOUT SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES.

THE HEAVY LEGISLATIVE WORK LOAD OF ALIGNING Ll lP age OUR LAWS TO THE NEW CONSTITUTION HAS ALSO NOT ALLOWED FOR SUBSTANTIVE ENGAGEMENT REQUIRED TO REFORM THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT TO THE EXTENT HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA, MR. EDGAR LUNGU EXPECTED.

SADLY, SIR, THE PUBLIC ORDER SHALL REMAIN AS IT FOR THE TIME BEING.
MR. SPEAKER, GIVEN THE STATUS OF THE PUBLIC ORDER ACT, I SHOULD ALSO COMMENT ON THE VIOLENCE THAT TOOK PLACE IN MATERO TOWNSHIP IN LUSAKA ON SATURDAY 7TI MAY, 201 6.

WE HAVE INSTITUTED INVESTIGATIONS TO ESTABLISH WHAT WENT WRONG.

WE SHALL DEAL FIRMLY WITH WHOEVER WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SAID VIOLENCE.

SIR, VIOLENCE SHCULD NOT BE CONDONED AND SHALL NEVER BE PART OF OUR DEMOCRATIC DISPENSATION.

WE MUST ALL THEREFORE WORK FOR PEACE.


WE HAVE CLEAR PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING MISUNDERSTANDINGS 12 lP age I AND CONFLICTS.

LET US USE PEACEFUL MEANS TO RESOLVE PROBLEMS AND ANY MISUNDERSTANDINGS.

WE MUST PROMOTE AND WORK FOR PEACE, EVEN AS WE COMPETE FOR POLITICAL OFFICES.

THE INTERESTS OF OUR COUNTRY MUST COME BEFORE OUR INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS, BECAUSE OUR INDIVIDUAL AMBITIONS CANNOT BE REALISED IN THE ABSENCE OF PEACE.
SIR, LET ME CONCLUDE BY ASSURING THE NATION THROUGH YOU THAT, MY GOVERNMENT HAS PREPARED ADEQUATELY FOR THE FORTHCOMING PRESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.

WE SHALL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO ENSURE IHAT THE AUGUST II, 201 6 PRESIDENTIAL AND GENERAL ELECTIONS ARE HELD IN A VIOLENCE FREE ENVIRONMENT.

OUR PEOPLE MUST BE FREE TO PARTICIPATE WITHOUT FEAR OF ANY KIND.
MAY I THEREFORE, APPEAL TO MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, ALL 13 lPage THE POLITICAL LEADERS AND PLAYERS THROUGH YOU SIR, TO PROMOTE PEACE BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE AUGUST I I , 2OI 6 ELECIIONS.

WE MUST ISOLATE THE VIOLENT ELEMENTS AND PROMOTE PEACE.

WE ARE AFTER ALI ONE PEOPLE, AND ONE NATION.

MR. SPEAKER, I THANK YOU.

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